Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians vs Avionics Technicians: Similar Pay, 5.4% vs 9.4% Growth

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians vs Avionics Technicians: what changes?

Consider Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians if you want to diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Consider Avionics Technicians if you would rather install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles. Both list postsecondary nondegree award; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians and Avionics Technicians. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

National median pay (2025): $79,870
Route into the job: Postsecondary nondegree award
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 11,400

Know before you choose

The work can involve real occupational hazards. Training, protective equipment, and routine safety discipline matter every day.

See the full Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians brief

Avionics Technicians

National median pay (2025): $82,280
Route into the job: Postsecondary nondegree award
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Test and troubleshoot instruments, components, and assemblies, using circuit testers, oscilloscopes, or voltmeters.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 1,700

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (19,800 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Avionics Technicians brief

How the national numbers differ

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians has the edge on annual openings

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians is at 11,400 annual openings, compared with 1,700 annual openings for Avionics Technicians.

Avionics Technicians has the edge on projected growth

Avionics Technicians is at 9.4% projected growth, compared with 5.4% projected growth for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians.

Avionics Technicians has the edge on median pay

Avionics Technicians is at $82,280, compared with $79,870 for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians.

67.3/ 100

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

61.1/ 100

Avionics Technicians

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians vs Avionics Technicians

Dimension	Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	Avionics Technicians
Median pay (2025)	$79,870	$82,280
Pay percentile	71.9 percentile	74.3 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	5.4%	9.4%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	11,400	1,700
2025 employment	140,000	19,800
How you qualify	Postsecondary nondegree award	Postsecondary nondegree award
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 3	Job Zone 3
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians brief Read Avionics Technicians brief

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians vs Avionics Technicians: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Avionics Technicians

How the national numbers differ

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians has the edge on annual openings

Avionics Technicians has the edge on projected growth

Avionics Technicians has the edge on median pay

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians vs Avionics Technicians

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